Coach: Murray Garvin is 11-28 (.393) in his third season with the Bulldogs. He took over in near the end of the 2012-13 season and compiled a 2-9 record. After winning nine games last season, Garvin was rewarded with a four-year contract extension.Prediction: Picked to finish 12th in the 13-team MEAC by conference coaches in a preseason poll.

— Junior forward Darryl Palmer made the most starts last season (20). He averaged 7.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

— Sophomore guard Jalen White is the leading returning scorer who averaged 7.2 points last season. He also averaged 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists while starting 14 of 22 games.

— Junior swingman Gabriel McCray, 6-7, 200 pounds, was a Division III NJCAA All-American at Prince George’s Community College last season where he averaged 18.0 points, 11 rebounds and 5.1 assists before transferring to South Carolina State.

OVERVIEW:

— South Carolina State has posted at least 20 games in the previous four seasons.

— The Bulldogs open with a three-game road trip that includes stops at Washington (Friday), San Francisco (Sunday) and Virginia (Tuesday).